Watch: Virat Kohli brought up his 50th ODI ton and celebrated by bowing to Sachin Tendulkar, who was in the stands at the Wankhede Stadium to watch India’s World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.
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A journey that started in 2008 reached a milestone moment on November 15, 2023 in the World Cup semi-final, when Kohli became the first-ever batter to reach 50 ODI tons. The No.3 batter walked out after the dismissal of Rohit Sharma in the ninth over, and played cautiously on a slow track, getting to his 50 in 59 deliveries. Batting with Shreyas Iyer, Kohli needed 47 more balls to reach his next fifty, bringing him to a record 50th ODI ton.
On the fourth ball of the 42nd over, Kohli, on 98, whipped away a ball by Lockie Ferguson towards deep backward square leg and ran a quick two. Upon reaching the milestone, he jumped up in joy and punched the air before sinking to his knees to take the applause in. When he was back up, he turned around to face his idol Tendulkar, who was watching from the stands and bowed down to the maestro, who was up on his feet to celebrate the hundred, just like the others were at the ground.
It must be remembered that Kohli had carried Tendulkar on his shoulders at the same venue in 2011 after India won the World Cup, with his line “He has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years. It is time we carried him on our shoulders,” becoming the ultimate ode to the Mumbaikar.
Kohli was eventually dismissed on 117 off 113 balls.
Watch the moment where Kohli got his 50th here:
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